It's been a historic week in the AFL with Mitch Brown becoming the first male player coming out as gay or bisexual and Fremantle Dockers captain Alex Pearce talks about Brown's bravery and how it is hopefully a "real step forward" for the code.

Chatting to Declan Byrne on 'The Saturday Sledge' Pearce talks about the accessibility and safety of the game, his own reflection on leadership and footy club culture and why the AFLW has helped advance the conversation in the men's competition.